§ MR. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for War, with regard to the insubordinate conduct of certain officers studying at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, What steps have been taken to strengthen the hands of the authorities; and, whether there is any foundation for the report which has appeared in the public journals that, in deference to the sentiments entertained by the offenders, changes are to be made in the Educational Staff of the College?
§ MR. CARDWELLIt is not intended, Sir, to make at present any change in the establishment at Sandhurst. The College is now in vacation, and will reassemble on the 1st of May. Before the separation, the students in question were warned that the penalty of improper conduct was removal from the service; and it must be remembered that these gentlemen hold their commissions on probation only, and that it is a condition precedent to their being confirmed that they shall pass satisfactorily through the course at Sandhurst. If there be any renewed misconduct, the Governor will at once send the offender back to his regiment, and report him to the Commander-in-Chief for removal from the service under the terms of the Royal Warrant, or to be dealt with as the circumstances of the case may seem to require.
§ CAPTAIN ARCHDALLwished to know whether the punishments to which the officers at Sandhurst were subject were inflicted in accordance with the Articles of War or the Regulations of the College?
§ MR. CARDWELLI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman had better have given me Notice of a Question on a subject of this kind. The punishments are inflicted, I imagine, under the Rules of the College.